King Salman International Airport is currently on track to become the largest airport in the world. Credit: Foster + Partners
Saudi Arabia has a vision. It will diversify the economy that is currently dependent on oil and position the kingdom as a global transportation and tourism hub.
We are also working on megaprojects that have officially entered advanced stages. King Salman Airport is one step closer to becoming the world’s largest air hub.
Located in Riyadh, King Salman International Airport is currently on track to become the largest airport in the world.
Its goal is very bold: it handles 120 million passengers by 2030, and by 2050 it will have up to 185 million. For comparison, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is currently the busiest in the world, dealing with 188 million passengers in 2024.
airport? No, cities within cities
Everything about this project is huge. Spreading over an astounding 57 square kilometres, the new airport features six parallel runways and will integrate the existing terminals of King Khalid International Airport, which opened in 1983.
And in fact, it’s more than just an airport. Approximately 12 square kilometres of the complex are dedicated to residential areas, recreational areas, shopping districts and support services.
Design (in collaboration with British architecture firm Foster + Partners and engineering consultancy Jacobs) aims to transform the space into a futuristic “Aerotropolis.” In other words, it is an entire city built around this airport, where aviation-related business, logistics and lifestyle services all intersect.
With Green Building certification, airports rely heavily on renewable energy, prioritizing efficiency, smooth passenger experiences and smart operations.
It is still unclear which airlines will operate from the hub, but the airport is expected to create around 150,000 new jobs in the region. Once completed, King Salman International becomes more than just a travel hub. It will become a city within the city.
